Salix Erosion Products Used in Flood Protection Repair Works

Rapid germination of seed within a month under the VMax C350 whilst the Rock Rolls and Coir Rolls protect the toe of the bank from erosion

Salix’s products used by VBA Consortium on essential and extensive flood bank repair works

Following the widespread flooding resulting from the unprecedented river levels, caused by Storm Desmond, the Environment Agency awarded their WEM framework contractor, VBA, the Asset Refurbishment Programme contract for Cumbria and North Lancashire, March 2016. VBA is a joint venture comprising of VolkerStevin, Boskalis Westminster and Atkins.

Salix’s erosion products were selected to provide the essential combination of erosion protection to ensure the ongoing protection of the flood banks. Rock Rolls and pre-planted Coir Rolls were used at the toe of the bank, these along with the native plants in the Coir Rolls will provide hard wearing erosion protection to the bank. As silt accretes behind the Rock Rolls and Coir Rolls vegetation will establish, the roots will provide further protection to the river bank.

The flood bank was given the additional protection of VMax C350, this was laid over the seeded banks. This product protects the banks from shear stress, so should the area face further severe flooding the matting will ensure soils are protected and the flood bank is maintained. The VMax also benefits the banks by protecting the seeds underneath, warming up the soils and ensuring that the seeds do not get washed away in the rain or from further flooding.

In addition to the erosion protection benefits all these products will also benefit local wildlife. Silts that accrue behind the Rock Rolls provide essential habitats for invertebrates and will allow native vegetation to flourish. Our products have been shown to encourage net gains in biodiversity by both Swansea University and Brighton University.